Carol Zuegner
Associate Professor,News Track
(402) 280-4059 - czuegner@creighton.edu
Carol Zuegner worked for 10 years as an editor and reporter for The Associated
Press in Des Moines, Iowa,; Omaha and Lincoln, Neb. Part of her work
for the wire service included covering the Nebraska Legislature, politics,
sports and broadcast writing. She also worked for the Fremont Daily Tribune,
for the Omaha Sun Newspapers and as a weekend world and nation paged editor
for the Terre Haute (Ind.) Tribune-Star. She currently works part-time
for the Omaha World-Herald as a copy editor.
A journalism graduate of Creighton, Zuegner was one of 10 fellows in the Kiplinger Investigative Reporting program at Ohio State University in 1990-91, where she earned a master’s degree. She earned a doctorate in communications from the University of Tennessee in 1999 with an emphasis in science writing.
“My philosophy of teaching is simple. I believe the work of people in the media is vital to society. I want to help students develop the skills, their own talent and creativity and the ethical base to report, edit and present the news accurately and fairly. I want them to see how important it is to tell the stories of people from all segments of society.
My own background is a combination of professional and academic. I draw extensively on that background and my current work as a copy editor to develop classes that keep pace with a changing media environment. It also helps me place students in internships and part-time jobs where they can gain valuable experience to help land that job after college.
My study and research have helped me step back from the professional world and look at the practice of journalism more critically. My research focuses on the role of editors in this ever-changing environment.
The hands-on approach here fits my own personal teaching style, which is informal and open. I want the students to feel comfortable in class and to respect their colleagues while pushing themselves to do the best work they can.”